Neighbour Dispute Over Fence Repair Turns Ugly

Some neighbour disputes can turn nasty.

A homeowner claims a neighbour's son mowed down her flowers after she refused to pay for a damaged fence. The problem started due to a second driveway next to the property line.

People use the drive to turn around because of a nearby sports field. However, the neighbour demanded the homeowner repair the fence.

The dispute escalated with the neighbour's son browbeating the homeowner and now aggressively entering her land with his lawnmower, chopping down flowers.

The homeowner asks if they are wrong for refusing to pay for the fence and dealing with retaliation. They want outside perspective to avoid drama with neighbours.

The homeowner moved into their first home two years ago and got along with their neighbour, an older lady. The neighbour has an old wrought-iron fence in the public road right-of-way that was never permitted.

The homeowner's driveway gets a lot of traffic due to a nearby public soccer field. Someone hit the neighbour's fence, and she asked the homeowner to pay for the repair. The homeowner refused, suggesting the neighbour file a report and use her homeowner's insurance.

The neighbour's son has been driving his lawnmower onto the homeowner's property, leaving grass stains and debris. He even cut down the homeowner's marigolds and hastas.

The homeowner doesn't want to confront the elderly neighbour and wants a peaceful place to live. They ask for advice on how to handle the situation.

One person suggested parking in the driveway when the neighbour's son comes to mow. Another person said to tell the son that if he damages the property again, the homeowner will claim damages.

A user said the homeowner is not wrong for refusing to pay for damage they didn't cause. The neighbour's retaliation is not acceptable, and the homeowner should document everything and set a clear boundary.

A helpful reply said that if the homeowner allows the neighbour's son to behave this way, it will always be this way. The son's actions are not acceptable, and the homeowner should not participate in his game.

In the UK, there is no designated side of the fence for each property. The Title Plan or Land Registry can help determine who owns what side and is responsible for its upkeep.

Lawyer Denise Nurse said the only way to be sure is to get the full title plans from the Land Registry. The plans show the red line etching of the property boundary.

The title plans are not exact and are based on the ordinance survey. Denise Nurse said talking to the neighbour is the best way to resolve disputes and suggested making an agreement on the boundary.

A tiny mark on the title plans, called a T-mark, can help determine who is responsible for a boundary line. Denise Nurse said to get the plans checked and agree with the neighbour.

If there are no obviously marked boundaries, problems can start. Denise Nurse suggested having a discussion with the neighbour and agreeing on the boundary. If necessary, a property surveyor can help determine the exact boundary.

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